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Tag: asia

  • Canon Philippines redesigns concept store in Pampanga

    Canon Philippines redesigns concept store in Pampanga

    Canon Philippines has opened its redesigned “Image Square” concept store at SM City Pampanga.

    The outlet, located near the entrance to the mall’s Cyberzone area, showcases a full line-up of Canon’s products and includes a service centre.

    “The logic behind this is that after version 1.0, we jumped into version 3.0”, said Canon assistant sales manager Roshan Daryani. “This is a one-stop shop for all Canon lovers and from the input to the output, we have it all here because our goal is to provide everything our clients need the moment you step inside the booth.”Canon Philippines

    Featured among the products on offer are Canon’s new mirrorless cameras and a pocket-sized Bluetooth printer. Canon’s personnel on-site are fluent in the technologies as well as related image-specific elements such as post-processing.

    “The booth is really made for a wide-range of markets,” added Daryani. “We have products for professional photographers and even just the hobbyists who wanted to upgrade their skills in photography. The Image Square is basically covering all the needs in the camera industry.”

  • Dunhill New York Finally opens Hudson Yards store

    Dunhill New York Finally opens Hudson Yards store

    Dunhill New York has opened a store in the city’s new Hudson Yards development.

    The 2600sqft outlet showcases the brand’s British luxury menswear against a backdrop of modern retail design – a contemporary space combining bronzed brass and walnut, together with leather and metal details, all recognisable codes of the house.

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    “Dunhill has traded in New York City for decades, from Rockefeller Centre to Madison Avenue,” said CEO Andrew Maag. “Hudson Yards is the next wave of retail and we are thrilled to be there from the start. We are part of the fabric of the city and we keep moving with it.”

    dunhill Hudson Yards 5

    The grey marble storefront takes inspiration from the facade of the brand’s 1950s South Rodeo Drive store. White wood panelling frames collections by creative director Mark Weston. Walnut burl cabinets, housing men’s accessories, are inspired by the original furniture from London’s Duke Street and Paris’ Rue de la Paix stores. Fluted metal details recall the textures and finishes of the Rollagas lighters.

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    The new Dunhill New York City store will retail a curated selection of luxury pieces, as well as ready-to-wear, leather goods and fine accessories.

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  • PVH to buy back Tommy Hilfiger licence in five major Asian markets

    PVH to buy back Tommy Hilfiger licence in five major Asian markets

    The US-listed fashion brand owner has entered into a definitive agreement to reacquire the license from Dickson Concepts, along with some related leases and retail assets. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but the deal is expected to be settled in the second quarter of this year.

    PVH Corp, which also counts Calvin Klein, Van Heusen, Izod, Arrow, Warner’s, Olga and Geoffrey Beene in its portfolio, said the deal is in line with the company’s strategy of gaining more direct control over its brands, including through the acquisition of licensed businesses. The transaction is intended to allow the company to capitalise on the significant growth opportunity in the region.

    “This transaction demonstrates our commitment to making strategic investments to support the long term growth of PVH and our Tommy Hilfiger business, while leveraging our well-established infrastructure, our leadership expertise and strong brand momentum across both our Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein businesses in the region,” said Emanuel Chirico, PVH Corp’s chairman and CEO.

    Daniel Grieder, Tommy Hilfiger Global CEO, said after taking back the Tommy Hilfiger licence, the company will execute “a more fully integrated strategy for the Greater China market in coordination with our directly operated Mainland China business”.

    “This transaction should allow us to further realise the growth opportunities that exist for the Tommy Hilfiger brand by enabling the introduction of a wider range of product lines, and offering consumers a more immersive and elevated brand experience. Building on our strong existing regional foundation, we plan to accelerate the growth of the Tommy Hilfiger business and invest further in driving the expansion of the brand.”

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  • An Evening in Full Swing with Biggles Big Band at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Huahin

    An Evening in Full Swing with Biggles Big Band at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Huahin

    The swing excitement has recently revisited Hua Hin as Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin welcomed Biggles Big Band to delight Thai fans with hits from the golden era of jazz.

    The beautiful city of Hua Hin was in excitement as an Amsterdam-based 25-piece jazz orchestra, Biggles Big Band, recently revisited the iconic Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin as part of their 2019’s Thailand Tour.

    Attended by hundreds of guests and all jazz lovers from across the globe, the event “A Big Night With Biggles Big Band” was a great success with Jan Weisheit (third from right), the hotel’s Resident Manager, personally welcoming and greeting Adrie Braat (third from left), the talented conductor, and the big band with the management team prior to the recreation of the magical sounds from the swinging-and-dancing era.

    Highlights of the glittering evening included tunes from their amazing musical repertoire such as In The Mood, Come By Me, Fly Me To The Moon, and many more famous jazz classics recreated with their well-known contemporary styles, all perfectly complimenting a wonderful atmosphere of the hotel.

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  • DFS Celebrates Eighth Prestigious Masters of Wines and Spirits in Singapore

    DFS Celebrates Eighth Prestigious Masters of Wines and Spirits in Singapore

    DFS Group (DFS), the world’s leading luxury travel retailer in partnership with Changi Airport Group (CAG) hosted its eighth annual edition of the prestigious Masters of Wines and Spirits in Singapore on Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24. The highly-anticipated event showcased a curated collection of 140 of the rarest and finest whiskies, wines, Cognacs and Champagne from around the world.

    The 2019 edition of Masters of Wines and Spirits was hosted at Singapore’s state-of-the-art complex, Infinite Studios. The event brought together over 1,000 local and international guests to celebrate DFS’ global travel retail leadership and innovation and their relationships with some of the world’s top wine and spirit houses. Guests were invited on an immersive and interactive journey to discover each of the brands through engaging video art installations and digital projections and an exploration of a wide variety of unique tasting experiences.

    This year’s edition of Masters of Wines and Spirits explored the theme of “Masters at Work” – an homage to those who have acquired complete knowledge or skill in a subject, technique or artform and whose passionate commitment to their task continues to raise the bar for all others in the field. During the weekend, DFS celebrated six masters across a spectrum of backgrounds including Brooke Supernaw of DFS as Master of Curation, Ewan Gunn of Diageo as Master of Whisky, Sarah Burgess of The Macallan as Master of Malt, Fabrice Papin of Château Lafite Rothschild as Master of Wine, Hidetsugu Ueno of Bar High Five as Master of Cocktails, and DJ Arthur Bray as Master of Music.

    The event also featured four exceptional masterclasses to inspire and delight guests. Masters of Malt hosted by Sarah Burgess, Whisky Maker at The Macallan, saw guests taste premium and exclusive products such the Macallan Enigma and Macallan M Decanter. Masters of Wine hosted by Fabrice Papin, International Brand Ambassador of Château Lafite Rothschild took guests through a full-range tasting of eight different Domaines Barons de Rothschild Châteaux wines. Masters of Blending hosted by Ewan Gunn, Global Whisky Master at Diageo, saw guests taste Coal Ila 35 year-old, Port Ellen 39 year-old and Johnnie Walker Blue Ghost and Rare.  Masters of Cocktails presented by Japanese mixologist and Spirited Awards World’s Best Bartender in 2016, Hidetsugu Ueno, took guests on a journey through the Japanese craft of spirits and a cocktail making session featuring whisky, sake and gin.

    “This year’s Masters of Wines and Spirits once again showcases the extensive expertise of DFS’ merchant team in curating a world-class, bespoke collection and bringing together the world’s most sought-after wines and spirits and their brand ambassadors,” said Brooke Supernaw, DFS Group’s Senior Vice President Wines, Spirits, Tobacco, Food and Gifts. “Our ability to present such an unrivalled and illustrious assortment of highly collectable and exclusive products would not be possible without the longstanding partners and relationships we hold dear.”

    “Changi Airport is honored to host the latest annual edition of the Masters of Wines and Spirits here in Singapore. Through our long-term partnership with DFS, we strive to delight our passengers with unique experiences and look forward to showcasing another outstanding and rare collection that can only be found at Changi,” said Teo Chew Hoon, Group Senior Vice President for Airside Concessions, Changi Airport Group.

    The 140-piece strong curation – featuring collectable items such as the oldest whisky ever released by The Macallan family, The Macallan 72 Year Old in Lalique – The Genesis Decanter; a set of three extremely rare vintages, The Château Lafite Rothschild Double Magnum Collection; and one of 1,500 bottles produced from the owner’s original stocks – Port Ellen’s 39 Year Old. The collection will also be showcased and celebrated at Changi Airport through a series of activations at Terminals 2 and 3 until the end of April.

    DFS’ Masters of Wines and Spirits 2019 Collection

    More than 80 Cognacs and Whiskies make up this year’s collection and include The Dalmore Constellation Vintage 1973 Drinking Cabinet, a very special bespoke and handcrafted cabinet commissioned by Richard Paterson, containing The Constellation Vintage 1973 (cask no.10). The Bunnahabhain 39 Year Old Spanish Octave Finish, an exclusive limited edition piece that forms part of the new Bunnahabhain Element Series which is crafted around the importance of various elements impacting on the character of each Bunnahabhain whisky, and the DFS Exclusive, Caol Ila 35 Year Old boasting a fine freshness, cleanliness and precision for its age.

    The Glenfiddich 45 Year Old, an exclusive blend for DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits, honors a whisky-making tradition dating back to 1887 and is a true reflection of the passion and innovative spirit passed down through all five generations of the Grant family. Possibly the last ever cask of Karuizawa Single Malt to be bottled in Japan is the Karuizawa Single Cask 1995. Port Ellen 39 Year Old is an elegant complex 39 year old Single Malt Whisky, unlocked from the heart of Port Ellen and is expertly married from a selection of ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry refill casks.

    Macallan presents The Macallan 72 Year Old In Lalique – The Genesis Decanter, the oldest whisky ever released by the Macallan family in commemoration of the opening of its new Distillery and Visitor Experience. Presented in a bespoke limited-edition crystal decanter handcrafted by Lalique, this exceptional whisky celebrates the collaboration of masters from across the fields of whisky, crystal, architecture, construction and craftsmanship. Also from the Macallan family comes The Macallan Fine & Rare Decades Collection. Created exclusively for DFS, the collection features five Fine & Rare vintages from 1938, 1947, 1954, 1965, 1976, each drawn from a single unique cask, denoting key historical events for the year.

    From the world of wine, DFS presents more than 60 collections including The Château Lafite Rothschild Double Magnum Collection, a rare opportunity to collect three of the great vintages produced by the estate in big formats and The Château Mouton Rothschild Magnum Collection, a unique six-vintage magnum set of exceptional vintages from 1988 to 2009.

    The Penfolds 2015 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon Imperial is one of the world’s most iconic Cabernet Sauvignons and a true representation of the Penfolds ‘House Style’ and has shown its ability to age with grace and finesse since the first vintage in 1964. All great wines begin with a great site, and the Continuum Tim Mondavi Library Vertical Selection is a unique collection offering an opportunity to enjoy a vertical flight of Continuum vintages from 2010 through 2015.

    Giving reason to celebrate is the Rare Le Secret Magnum Vintage 1997 With Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire. Inspired by the muse of both Maisons, Marie- Antoinette, Queen of France, Rare Le Secret  High Jewellery is royally embellished with a one- carat precious stone, interwoven golden bands set with 510 diamonds. Presented in a majestic box, this spectacular edition has been for more than 20 years in the cellar of Régis  Camus,  Rare  Champagne’s Cellar Master.

    DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits is part of the DFS Masters Series, a signature program of exhibitions around the world. The Masters Series is a showcase of the pinnacle of DFS’ leadership and innovation in curating and creating exceptional experiences across its five pillars of luxury: Wines and Spirits, Beauty and Fragrances, Watches and Jewelry, Fashion and Accessories, and Food and Gifts.

    The full 2019 Masters of Wines and Spirits Collection will be available for purchase at Singapore’s Changi Airport from March 25. A smaller, curated collection will be available later in year at T Galleria by DFS in Hong Kong and Macau.

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  • Stationery retailer Smiggle targets Asia

    Stationery retailer Smiggle targets Asia

    Vibrant stationery retailer Smiggle is expanding within Asia following a record global performance reaching 34.8 per cent sales growth in the territory.

    Brand owner Premier Investments will be pushing Smiggle in South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as well as the UAE, making the brand available in over 100 new locations by July this year.

    Smiggle will also be expanded to Canada in late 2019, giving the brand its first exposure to a “key North American market.”

    The brand’s total sales for the first half of the current fiscal year reached US$126.59 million, contributing to Premier’s increased group net profit of 13 per cent over the period to $62.87 million.

    Due to “major structural changes to the global retail industry,” the brand will partner with Amazon Europe to launch in France, Italy, Germany and Spain between April and July 2019, and is in talks with Alibaba to bring the brand to countries where the brand does not currently operate.

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  • Nike sees steap growth numbers in Asia

    Nike sees steap growth numbers in Asia

    Sportswear retailer Nike has grown net income to US$1.1 billion over its third quarter, with the group’s consumer-direct  approach delivering growth across all four of its geographic regions.

    Revenues increased 7 per cent to $9.6 billion, up 11 per cent. The Nike brand contributed $9.1 billion of this, while footwear brand Converse brought $463 million – down 2 per cent compared to the prior corresponding period.

    “In Q3, our team once again drove strong, healthy growth across Nike’s complete portfolio,” Nike chairman, president and CEO Mark Parker said.

    “Our business momentum is being accelerated by our ability to scale innovation at a faster pace and expand new digital consumer experiences around the world.”

    In Asia-Pacific, the group saw footwear sales increase 3 per cent to $909 million, while apparel sales grew 6 per cent to $340 million.

    However, sales in the equipment category fell 8 per cent over the period, to $58 million.

    Greater China, saw equipment sales stay flat at $29 million, but experienced a strong 21 per cent growth in apparel sales to $444 million, and footwear sales 19 per cent above the prior period at $1.11 billion.

    The group’s gross margin increased over the period to 45.1 per cent, driven by higher selling prices, favourable changes in foreign currency exchange rates and growth in Nike Direct.

    Additionally, the group’s effective tax rate was 14.7 per cent, compared to 179.5 per cent during the same period last year, which included one-time charges related to the enactment of the US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which drove a $921 million loss.

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  • Tommy Hilfiger in social entrepreneurs shout out

    Tommy Hilfiger in social entrepreneurs shout out

    Fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger is seeking applications from social entrepreneurs for the second year of its Fashion Frontier Challenge.

    Tommy Hilfiger’s global program aims to support entrepreneurial start-up and scale-up stage businesses developing solutions that promote inclusive and positive change in fashion.

    “The first chapter of this global initiative was an inspiring journey that put a spotlight on incredible ideas that could change the lives of people through a more positive and inclusive fashion landscape,” said Tommy Hilfiger.

    “Through the Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier Challenge, we continue to mentor and support social entrepreneurs who are putting their heart and soul into addressing issues they strongly believe in. This celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit and determined optimism at the heart of our brand DNA.”

    Interested businesses are invited to submit project proposals that focus on inclusive fashion. Over a multi-stage four-month process, applicants will be narrowed down to six finalists, who will be invited to develop their project plans with the support of a team of dedicated Tommy Hilfiger subject-matter experts at the Campus of the Future in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

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  • WhatsApp building a New Feature Allowing Users to detect spam and fake news

    WhatsApp building a New Feature Allowing Users to detect spam and fake news

    Facebook owned WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will allow a user to see how many times a message has been forwarded. The beta update to version 2.19.80 includes a new functionality allowing a user to view how many times a message he or she received has been forwarded. To obtain this information, the user needs to forward a received message, open up the Message info section, and the data will be there. A message that has been forwarded five or more times will receive a bubble that says “Frequently Forwarded.”
    The number of times that a message you sent via WhatsApp has been forwarded is something that can already be found in the Message info section. If you install the beta version of the messaging app on your Android or iOS phone (via TestFlight) you will be able to see the number of times both a sent and received message has been forwarded. WhatsApp is adding this feature to help a user see whether a message is spam. Some messages that have been forwarded a number of times are spam, or might be “fake news.”
    Facebook acquired WhatsApp in a blockbuster deal that closed in October, 2014. Originally valued at what was considered an outrageous amount of money at the time the deal was announced ($16 billion), by the time the transaction closed eight months later the purchase was valued at $21 billion.
  • Alleged fastest messaging app adds new privacy features

    Alleged fastest messaging app adds new privacy features

    Messaging app Telegram features end-to-end encryption for messages, and claims to deliver said messages faster than any other app. It has no limits on the size of media sent using the service, and is free. Today, Telegram announced a new privacy feature. Users can now delete, if they so desire, any message sent or received in a private chat. Telegram says that deleted messages will disappear from both sides of the conversation and there will be no trace of them left at all.
    This new functionality is basically an expansion of the “unsend” feature that Telegram first debuted two years ago. This originally limited “unsend” to be used by a Telegram user who sent a message, and only for the first 48 hours. Now, with two taps, users can remove any message they sent or received with no time limit. The messages are erased from both the sender’s and recipient’s device.
    In addition, Telegram is limiting who is allowed to forward messages you’ve sent. When a user toggles on the new anonymous forwarding feature, forwarded messages won’t be linked back to the sender’s Telegram address. Instead, an unclickable name will appear in the “from” field. Messages a Telegram user forwards will no longer be linked backed to his or her account.
    Telegram has also added a search option for settings, allowing members to quickly find the particular setting that they want to change. It will also answer users’ questions based on the app’s FAQ page. Speaking of search, the emojis and GIFs search feature has been upgraded. Any selected GIF can be previewed by tapping and holding on the image. On Android, keywords can be used in multiple languages to help find a specific emoji. When typing a message, a list of emoji related to the context of the message will surface. And on Android, if you send an emoji without any text, it will appear larger in the chat. This will soon be available for the iOS app.
    Lastly, Telegram has added VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android, which are both controlled by gestures. Both provide spoken feedback so that Telegram can be used without seeing the screen on a mobile device.
    Telegram is available on iOS and Android, where it has over 100 million installs.
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  • Worldpay announces Australasian expansion

    Worldpay announces Australasian expansion

    Worldpay, a global leader in payment technology, has announced major investment in Australasia for 2019. The first is the opening of two sales offices in Australia; the second is the expansion of its global footprint to New Zealand after obtaining a local licence for acquiring card payments. These regional investments will enable Worldpay to serve its Australasian clients through an enhanced market presence and in-country payment processing.

    This regional investment builds upon Worldpay’s commitment to the region, having been one of the first non-banking technology providers to launch a domestic acquiring licence in Australia in 2016. Worldpay’s new offices will be located in Melbourne and Sydney, with Sydney acting as the country headquarters. The new sites will not only help to better serve existing clients with rich payments expertise, solutions consulting and on-the-ground account management, but also deliver on Worldpay’s ambitious plans to boost its client roster, which already includes VGW, Skiddoo, Lonely Planet, Webjet, and Supernova, the owner of Sand & Sky, Coco & Eve, BodyBoss and SkinnyMint.

    eCommerce in Australia is expected to grow by more than 37 percent over the next three years to be worth almost US$40bn by 2022, with New Zealand also experiencing high levels of eCommerce growth. The buoyant market conditions have attracted a number of global brands to the region, giving shoppers more choice and have increased retailer competition for consumer spending. With 20 percent of consumers in Australia and New Zealand shopping via mobile every month, smartphone penetration alongside more frictionless payment methods offered by digital wallets could open new opportunities for retailers to differentiate their offering and grow mobile commerce.

    Phil Pomford, General Manager, Global Enterprise eCommerce, APAC at Worldpay: “Australasia is an exciting region with lots of growth potential, but also its own unique set of challenges. By building a team of payments experts located in Australia, alongside the addition of a domestic card payment acquiring capability in New Zealand, Worldpay can offer a service that goes beyond the transactional. Our investment and addition of this new licence will enable us to further provide unparalleled access to global markets to help eCommerce businesses deliver on their international growth ambitions.”

    The New Zealand card payment processing licence will allow Worldpay to process transactions domestically for merchants trading in New Zealand. This new licence means the global payments leader is one of a few providers to offer domestic acquiring capabilities in the country. It will also make it easier for New Zealand-based firms to trade with the rest of the world, creating a seamless payment experience for both domestic and international clients.

    Pomford continued, “While there’s a lot of competition from traditional providers, Worldpay can offer something different. We’re already helping thousands of multi-national companies around the globe to drive sales, gain better data insights and enter new markets at scale. With our Australasian expansion, we want to show businesses in Australia and New Zealand that we’re the technology partner of choice to help them grow, and go global.”

     

    Domestic acquiring in New Zealand will be available in Q2 2019.

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  • Ford Cars Will Now Get In-Car Alexa Personal Assistant

    Ford Cars Will Now Get In-Car Alexa Personal Assistant

    After years of positioning its Microsoft Sync systems as the big in-car USP, Ford is now all set to make its cars Amazon Echo enabled. More specifically the In-Car Alexa personal assistant – which now takes the connectivity story ahead after Apple CarPlay or Android Auto have already become commonplace. Ford has partnered with Amazon for the Industry-first In-Car Alexa voice command assist system. This is the first such application in amass car brand’s portfolio and will work on similar lines as the latest voice-guided personal assistants that BMW and Mercedes-Benz have unveiled only recently. The Sync interface will continue to be in play here, and shall work in conjunction with Amazon’s flagship communicator. The Alexa voice assist system will be integrated into the latest Microsoft Sync 3 AppLink and will respond to various languages. According to our sources, Amazon is training the Alexa to understand multiple languages including Indian dialects. This leads us to believe that the product is set for a worldwide release, and not just within the United States.

    The latest AppLink system is built on an open source Smart Device Link Software which enables other processors such as the one used by Amazon for Alexa, to engage with it. The Smart Device Link is a cohesive software which will improve the open source and will allow other app developers and service providers to render service across automaker’s portfolio. So the idea is to grow this ecosystem. Ford has been tight-lipped about the rollout of this impressive new feature. Our emails to Ford India have also gone unanswered, though sources within the company’s Dearborn HQ have confirmed that the feature will be offered in the cars launched in India by 2020. And before you can ask – connectivity will be through either a sim card slot that will be provided on some models, or your smartphone which would hook up through Sync anyway.

    The In-Car Alexa assistant will allow the driver to access Alexa for traffic, or even destination information, besides giving her or him access to news, music and yes that includes Amazon Music’s vast library. Passengers can also enjoy highly personalised features like listening to audiobooks, search and transfer local destinations through navigation before even starting the trip, weather information and searching the Internet. In-Car Alexa can also be linked to its sister Alexa on the Amazon Echo device at the user’s home, through the home-to-car feature. This will assist the owner to command internet-enabled functions such as the house lighting, security system, garage doors etc. – basically anything hooked up to the Echo at home, can then be accessed through the IN-Car Alexa using voice commands. The home-to-car feature will also facilitate electric/hybrid vehicle owners to start-stop their car’s engine, lock and unlock the doors and monitor vehicle readings such as fuel level and the battery range.

  • AI-controlled on demand bus services planned in Japan

    AI-controlled on demand bus services planned in Japan

    Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation and Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co. have established a new joint venture to provide commercial on-demand-bus (ODB) transit services controlled by artificial intelligence.

    The joint venture, Next Mobility, will commence operations in April 2019 (as planned) in Island City, which is located in Fukuoka City’s Higashi-ward.

    Lacking profitability and drivers, many of Japan’s public passenger road transportation (PPRT) providers are struggling to develop efficient and sustainable services. Island City is undergoing a wave of development, and with more residential, commercial and port facilities going up, traffic is getting heavier. There are concerns in the area about parking shortages, worsening traffic congestion and a lack of public transportation.

    To help address these concerns, the AI-controlled ODB services provided by Next Mobility JV are being rolled out in Island City on a one-year, trial basis. The purpose of the trial will be to verify these services’ effectiveness and commercial feasibility. By improving public transit and making it more readily available to citizens, the trial hopes to encourage people to leave their cars at home and help to build more efficient and sustainable transportation networks

    AI-controlled ODB is a new concept of public bus transit services. The AI generates routes automatically and in real time based on passenger requests submitted through smartphone apps. It uses deep learning to accumulate operational data on rider destinations and traffic conditions, enabling the buses to run more efficiently the more they are used. Passengers can also use their smartphones to book rides and can even pay with their credit cards. The booking and dispatching system has been developed by Spare Labs Inc., a Canadian Company.

    Nissan Motors has agreed to sponsor the project and provide its ten-passenger Nissan Caravans for the trial. They will be driven by taxi drivers dispatched from Fukuoka Nishitetsu Taxi Fukuoka City and companies located in Island City will also be supporting the project by promoting its use throughout the area.

    MC and NNR hope that this ODB service will ultimately help to realize a model for sustainable, efficient and seamless public transit, servicing both Island City and other areas throughout Japan.

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  • Huawei, ZTE consider local manufacturing in India

    Huawei, ZTE consider local manufacturing in India

    Both Huawei and ZTE are evaluating plans to establish local manufacturing facilities in India to avoid the 20% tariff imposed on the import of telecommunications equipment.

    ZTE is carefully evaluating the feasibility of local manufacturing in India, including of mobile devices, the company’s president of global sales Xiao Ming told.

    If the government offers enough incentives to support a cost advantage, ZTE would love to shift many of its manufacturing factories in India.

    Meanwhile Huawei is progressing a plan to resume Indian manufacturing of telecom equipment and enterprise products, the report states.

    Huawei ceased production from its Indian facilities last year due in part to low demand, but the company is evaluating establishing a new plant for its carrier business and enterprise as a result of the tariffs.

    Meanwhile Ericsson, which already has manufacturing facilities in India, plans to expand these capabilities to commence exports of locally-manufactured equipment to more countries.

    Nokia also manufactures equipment in India, and has developed a local supply chain for components to minimize the 10% duty on imports of components to be manufactured locally.

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  • Tigers is launch customer for new instant freight rate quote enginepowered by tech start-up Doozee

    Tigers is launch customer for new instant freight rate quote enginepowered by tech start-up Doozee

    Tigers is the launch customer for a new instant freight rate quote engine developed by tech start up Doozee, as Tigers continues to embrace the digital revolution in logistics. The new tool will be available to Tigers’ extensive international agent network and will be hosted on the Tigers SmartHub:Connect portal following the release of future versions of Doozee.

    Doozee will then allow customers to access live quotes between all Tigers locations globally, and to customise the service they receive through SmartHub:Connect.

    “This is a significant step in the digitalisation process for Tigers,” said Mark Gatenby, Chief Information Officer, Tigers.

    “Doozee is a free of charge, agnostic ‘plug-in and play’ for everybody, and it is unique because it allows for community and collaboration between a company and its agents.”

    The current version of the Doozee Cloud-based engine will enable Tigers agents to send customers full quotes in seconds via email or as an online link, with customers able to respond with the click of a button.

    In the future, Tigers’ customers will be able to see instant quotes on SmartHub:Connect by inputting details of their consignment and route on their dashboard.

    USA-based start-up Doozee will further develop the engine’s functionality to include links to postal operators, supporting Tigers’ e-commerce customers.

    Doozee was founded by tech pioneer Dr Scott Deerwester who co-invented Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) technology, which has become a commonly used tool in search engine optimisation (SEO).

    “Tigers is a forward-thinking global company, and, as a technologist, I share their commitment to embracing digitalisation, which makes SmartHub:Connect the perfect platform to launch Doozee,” said Deerwester.

    “Doozee has been designed in a way that is appropriately transparent and the business rules are clear, so that it is easy to use.”

     

    Doozee is available in 12 different languages and contains an algorithm for ranking freight forwarders by transit times, reliability, price, and online ratings.